Iberê Camargo Museum (ICM)
Álvaro Siza

Because of the steepness of the slope, the museum had to be developed as a vertical construction./Álvaro Siza

Photo © Fernando Alda

Settled into the lush green hillside like a giant sculpture, the first building in Brazil by Álvaro Siza preserves the collection of more than 4000 works by Iberê Camargo, the master of Brazilian expressionism.

The base of the building is a long platform, 0.90 meters above street level, under which part of the program areas are located. The main building volume cuts through the escarpment.


Photo © Fernando Alda

Photo © Fernando Alda

Siza chose white concrete as the main construction material as a means to establish a dialogue with modern Brazilian architecture.

Concrete allows for great flexibility in the organization of volumes and shapes. In Brazil there is an important tradition of concrete utilization. Modern Brazilian architecture is so rich and varied, and it pushes its own limits when using this material, that it would make no sense to use anything else instead./Álvaro Siza

You enter the museum under the concrete ramps that define the vertical space, open to the sky, in front of the museum.


Photo © Fernando Alda

Photo © Fernando Alda

Photo © Fernando Alda

Photo © Fernando Alda

The nine galleries and circulation ramps surround a towering central atrium, with the ramps extending to the exterior as enclosed walkways cantilevered across the front facade. Vertical circulation, two elevators and two sets of stairs, are located at each end of the building.

Photo © Fernando Alda

Photo © Fernando Alda

Photo © Fernando Alda

The print shop, artists' studios and a café are located in low buildings along the sidewalk.

Photo © Fernando Alda

Photo © Fernando Alda

Photo © Fernando Alda

Photo © Fernando Alda

Natural light enters the central atrium space through skylights or openings in the curved walls. The galleries are open to the atrium, or enclosed by four meter tall removable panels that allows for light to enter between them and the ceiling. The galleries on the top floor receive natural light, supplemented by artificial lighting, through double glazed skylights. Single windows along the ramps frame views of the Guaíba River and Porto Alegre's downtown skyline.


Photo © Fernando Alda

Photo © Fernando Alda

Photo © Fernando Alda

Photo © Fernando Alda

Photo © Fernando Alda

Photo © Fernando Alda

Photo © Fernando Alda

The building is environmentally responsible, aiming to restore the original landscape on the banks of the site (12,000 square meters of green space formally donated to the Foundation by the Municipal Environment Secretariat). It has low energy consumption using a small effluent-treatment station for on-site liquid and solid waste treatment. The water produced from this process is used for watering the vegetation. The hillside includes a nature trail with identification of native species to be opened to the public in partnership with the Gaia Foundation.

Sketch courtesy Álvaro Siza Vieira

Sketch courtesy Álvaro Siza Vieira

Model photo courtesy Álvaro Siza Vieira


Model photo courtesy Álvaro Siza Vieira

Drawing courtesy Álvaro Siza VieiraSite Plan

Drawing courtesy Álvaro Siza VieiraFirst Floor Plan
Drawing courtesy Álvaro Siza VieiraSecond Floor Plan
Drawing courtesy Álvaro Siza VieiraThird Floor Plan
Drawing courtesy Álvaro Siza VieiraFourth Floor Plan
Drawing courtesy Álvaro Siza VieiraRoof Plan
Drawing courtesy Álvaro Siza Vieira

Drawing courtesy Álvaro Siza VieiraSection